Frequently Asked Questions
What can you help me with?
I can help with many, many different issues from confidence and performance issues, cultural identity issues, anxiety, weight loss, unhelpful habits and addictions, sexual problems, depression, self-worth, trauma and more. I have found that most of the problems that clients have come to see me with, (whether the symptom is expressed as low confidence, anxiety, poor performance, negative self-talk, habit etc), are generally driven by a more deep rooted cause.
Cognitive Hypnotherapy can help to reframe that cause, thus changing the presenting symptom into a positive outcome instead.
The brain’s function is to protect us and it uses a repository of previous information to draw conclusions from which we act. Some of those may be outdated and more often than not based on information concluded in childhood when our brains were too basic for objective thought.
It has been estimated that the brain receives around 11 million pieces of different information per second. Our brain is able to consciously assimilate 7+/- pieces of information and our unconscious “decides” what information to bring to the fore based on many “programmed” criteria. The meaning or relevance of each bit of information is different from individual to individual.
Hypnosis aims targeted suggestions to specific areas within a client’s unconscious to bring about the process of permanent change, (reprogramming), of specific stored actions/reactions.
I've already been to therapy. How are you different?
Traditional talking therapies will often keep bringing a memory to the fore hoping that the client will gain insight and consciously change behaviour.
Cognitive Hypnotherapy works on the Evolutionary Psychology theory that all behaviour has evolved to either avoid a threat or go towards a reward and thus all behaviour has a positive intention even though the result may not actually be positive.
In certain perceived survival situations, the quick use of nominal processing, (fight or flight), is often helpful, however, the brain can become stuck in a loop of the same situations with the same reactions and thus form often lifelong patterns of behaviour. E.g., client got a shock seeing a spider very young, then every time it saw a spider this was reinforced, then in adulthood has a huge spider phobia. The unconscious says that spider is dangerous, thus triggering the client response to keep the client safe, but not evolving enough to assimilate the information that spiders are not to be feared into its response.
Cognitive Hypnotherapy goes through the clients’ patterns, breaking down the elements within the presenting issue, looking at the desired outcome for each client and then breaking that down. Cognitive Hypnotherapy enables the therapist to find the client’s own, individual way to access those patterns or loops of behaviour and attach a new meaning to previously held unconscious beliefs.
Because Cognitive Hypnotherapy is so targeted and so individual, it generally works much much faster than traditional therapies.
The past can never be changed, but the feelings/actions/responses associated with it can be.
What if I feel nervous?
That’s absolutely natural. It is a big step to decide to make changes and I understand completely. Please feel free to discuss any concerns at all.
What if I can't be hypnotised?
Hypnosis is very like daydreaming, you are not asleep, but in a pleasant altered state of awareness where you are relaxed and focused on your thoughts.
Traditionally hypnosis has been viewed as something that causes people to go into a trance, then lose control and do what they are told including doing silly things on stage and dancing like chickens etc.
In fact, research shows that 90% of all actions we take or reactions we have are unconscious with only 10% being deliberate actions or reactions. Think of driving our cars, washing our dishes, tying our shoe laces, walking, jumping at scary threats etc – these are all actions that we have learned and then transferred to our unconscious to repeat when needed so we can take care of new problems.
What does hypnosis feel like?
Usually people find it to be an enjoyable experience and extremely relaxing. This, however, is a very common question prior to treatment. The more you have hypnotherapy the quicker you tend to enter a relaxed trance state. Some people experience their limbs feeling heavy, some feel like they are floating and generally feel relaxed and refreshed after a session. Often, it will just feel like an ordinary conversation so you won’t feel any different at all.
You are in control at all times and aware of what is going on. Being in this relaxed state releases endorphins which are feel good hormones. It generally also lowers blood pressure and boosts the immune system.
I'm scared of being hypnotised. Will I lose control?
Cognitive Hypnotherapy is just a conversation between us. You will be in control at all times. You will not do anything that you don’t want to do. It might be that our entire session feels just like a chat, or it might be that you close your eyes and listen to my voice, but at all times you will know where you are, what you are doing and you can open your eyes and talk whenever you feel like it.
What if you can't help me?
I hold a free preliminary call with all clients to further understand expectations from both sides. It might not be that I am the right person for you. In that case, I will try and help you establish someone that can help you. I firmly believe that one of the most important things is to match the right therapist to the right client.
What happens during our sessions?
We will start with a free consultation which will give me a greater understanding of what you would like to achieve. It also gives you an opportunity to ask any questions you may have.
From here we will agree a starting point. Generally, a minimum starting point is three sessions with a review at session three.
I will ask you lots of questions during our first session so that I can fully understand the situation. Many people feel better or lighter at simply offloading and then better still after session two when we delve deeper into reframing.
If appropriate, I will record something for you to listen to between sessions. I might also refer you to some reading or ask you to keep a few motes. This will all be discussed beforehand so we can find what works best for you.
Do you charge for bespoke recordings?
All recordings I send you, communication between sessions, reading I send you etc is completely free.
Do I need to prepare?
Apart from a couple of forms that I will ask you to complete, all I need is you and your desire for change 🙂
Do I need to do anything between sessions?
Most therapy happens between sessions. Often this is simply noticing your changes within your day to day life. If appropriate, I will prepare a bespoke recording for you to listen to between sessions. I might also refer you to some reading or ask you to keep a few motes. This will all be discussed beforehand so that we can work out what works best for you and ensure that it fits in with your life.
What happens if I really need to ask you something between sessions?
Please send me a message and I will get back to you ASAP so that we discuss whatever is concerning you. This also applies once our work is done. I will never charge for this kind of thing. 🙂
Can you guarantee that anything I tell you is kept completely confidential?
Yes of course. I am bound by the NCH code of ethics, which, amongst many other things, protects your confidentiality at all times. The only time I would share any information would be in a scenario where I felt you might be a risk to yourself or to other people. And in this scenario I would discuss this with you first.
How many sessions will I need?
The number of sessions required varies. The average is between three and six sessions, however some people need as little as two and others need more than ten. The approach is completely individual.
How long are your sessions?
I run both 60 and 90 minute sessions depending on your preference. In instances where we both have the time and overrun slightly, I will not charge any extra.
Can you guarantee times that suit me?
Popular time slots get booked up quite quickly, so it is best to block book in order to guarantee a slot. I will do my very best to fit you in at a time that suits you.
Interested to find out how you could benefit from Cognitive Hypnotherapy?
Una Murga offers English or Spanish Cognitive Hypnotherapy and Coaching in Buckinghamshire and online.